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{{no footnotes|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Gilles Mayer
| name = Gilles Mayer
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| position = [[Goaltender (ice hockey)|Goaltender]]
| position = [[Goaltender (ice hockey)|Goaltender]]
| played_for = [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| played_for = [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
Line 10: Line 9:
| height_in = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 135
| weight_lb = 135
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1929|8|24}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1930|8|24}}
| birth_place = [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario|ON]], [[Canada|CAN]]
| birth_place = [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|9|29|1929|8|24}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|9|29|1929|8|24}}
| death_place = [[Rhode Island]], [[USA]]
| death_place = [[Rhode Island]], US
| career_start = 1946
| career_start = 1946
| career_end = 1963
| career_end = 1963
}}
}}
'''Joseph Gilles Camille "Gil" Mayer''' (August 24, 1929 – September 29, 2015) was a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[professional]] [[ice hockey]] goaltender. Mayer stood 5'6" tall, and weighed 128 lbs.
'''Joseph Gilles Camille Mayer''' (August 24, 1930 – September 29, 2015) was a Canadian [[professional]] [[ice hockey]] goaltender. He played 9 games in the [[National Hockey League]] with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] between 1949 and 1956. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1946 to 1963, was mainly spent in the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL). Mayer stood 5'6" tall, and weighed 128 lbs, which earned him the nickname "The Needle." During his time with the Cleveland Barons, Mayer became the first AHL goaltender to wear a mask.


==Early life and junior career==
==American Hockey League==
Mayer was born on August 24, 1930, in [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada.<ref name = "EP">{{cite web |title=Gil Mayer |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/196622/gil-mayer |website=eliteprospects.com |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref> He began playing goaltender at the age of six due to liking the position.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Livingston |first1=Pat |title=Gil Mayer, Hornets Rookie Goalie, Makes Pros Sit Up, Take Notice |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68491827/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=The Pittsburgh Press |date=December 21, 1949|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Mayer then played amateur hockey with the Hull Volants of the [[Ottawa City Hockey League]] and [[Lake Placid Roamers]], an independent, intermediate senior level ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Halpin|first1=Charlie|title=Lake Placid Budding Puck Centre Under New York Ranger Guidance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68789711/gilles-mayer-with-the-lake-placid/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Montreal Gazette |date=February 14, 1947|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Myre Coaching Ottawa-Packed Lake Placid Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68789564/gilles-mayer-with-the-lake-placid/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=The Ottawa Journal |date=December 13, 1946|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> During his time with the Roamers, he was noticed by [[Johnny Gagnon]] who helped place him with the [[Barrie Flyers]].<ref name ="Campbell">{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Don |title=AHL HALL OF FAMER'S NEMNDING RECORDS LIKELY TO ENDURE |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68491944/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=November 21, 2006|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
Mayer made the jump from amateur hockey with the [[Lake Placid Roamers]] to [[junior ice hockey]] in 1949. He was the goalie of the [[Barrie Flyers]] who lost the [[Eastern Canada]] championship final series 5-4 to the [[Montreal Royals]], in April 1949 for the [[George Richardson Memorial Trophy]]. He began his Professional hockey career in 1949 with the Pittsburgh Hornets.


Mayer subsequently made the jump from amateur hockey with the Lake Placid Roamers to [[junior ice hockey]] in 1949. He was the goalie of the Barrie Flyers who lost the [[Eastern Canada]] championship final series 5-4 to the [[Montreal Royals]]. He was subsequently the recipient of the [[George Richardson Memorial Trophy]] and [[Red Tilson Trophy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goalie Honored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68788560/gil-mayer-barrie-flyers/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=The Ottawa Citizen |date=March 30, 1949|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He began his professional hockey career in 1949 with the [[Pittsburgh Hornets]] after his playing rights were purchased from the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. Due to his short stature, he was given the nickname "Needle" by the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gatineau's Gil Mayer League's Best |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68492723/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Ottawa Journal |date=February 6, 1953|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
Gil stood 5'6" and weighed between 128 and 135 pounds during his career.He was "nicknamed "The Needle".


==Professional career==
In the 1951-1952 season Mayer wore # 0 because he was so hard to score against with 5 shutouts and a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.57 for the [[Pittsburgh Hornets]]. Mayer was selected to the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] all-star team for the 1950-1951 season and consecutively from the 1952-1953 season through the 1954-1955 season. The same year he won a league title, a $300 bonus, and captured goalie honors with a 3.25 [[goals against average]]. He allowed 146 goals in 52 games. During his career he was on 3 Calder cup winning teams; 2 with the Pittsburgh Hornets and 1 with the Hershey Bears.
===Pittsburgh Hornets and Toronto Maple Leafs===
During his first year with the Hornets in the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL), Mayer led all goaltenders with an average of 2.50 goals in 22 games after replacing [[Baz Bastien]].<ref>{{cite news |title=128-pound Goalie Stars for Hornets |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493367/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Burlington Daily News |date=December 8, 1949|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> As a result of his play, Mayer made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs against the [[Detroit Red Wings]] on December 1, 1949. During his debut, the ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]'' reported that they received dozens of telephone calls for the score of the Detroit-Toronto game and to know whether or not Mayer was in the Leafs' nets in place of [[Turk Broda]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The phones were ringing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68788305/gil-mayer-hull-volants/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=[[Ottawa Citizen]] |date=December 2, 1949|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>


During the 1950–51 season, Mayer nearly surpassed [[Nick Damore]]'s league shutout record after recording three consecutive shutouts. During a game against the [[Providence Reds]] on December 16, 1950, Mayer required a shutout within the first period to beat the record.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gil Mayer Can Shatter Shutout Lead Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68492823/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=December 16, 1950|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> However, Reds winger [[Chuck Scherza]] scored a goal after 12 minutes of play and the Hornets lost 3–2.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hornets' Gil Mayer's Attempt For Hockey Record falls Short |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493225/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=The Daily American |date=December 18, 1950|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> As a result of his play during the season, Mayer was named to the 1951 AHL All-Star Team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gil Mayer Selected AHL AIl-Sfar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68492276/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Ottawa Journal |date=April 30, 1951|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
Gil won the AHL "Hap" Holmes Award (goaltender with the lowest GAA) 5 times. This is a 1st all time record. Mayer was 2nd all time in AHL Regular Season Play in the following categories: 14 seasons, 680 games, 346 wins, 41 shutouts. He was also 2nd all time in AHL Playoffs in these categories: 80 games, 50 wins, 6 shutouts.


Early in the second period of Pittsburgh's game against the [[Syracuse Warriors]], on February 6, 1952, Mayer was cut by a puck which struck his face. His nose haemorrhaged but he returned to the ice after thirty minutes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wasps' Lead Reduced To Nine Points |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493202/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=February 7, 1952|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He finished the season second to [[Johnny Bower]] in goals against average with 2.57 goals within 68 games and topped the league in shutouts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Powell, Bower Win AHL Honors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68799015/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=The Pittsburgh Press |date=March 18, 1952}}</ref> The following year, he won the [[Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award]] and a $300 bonus with a 3.25 [[goals against average]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goalie Award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68799070/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=The Leader-Post |date=March 25, 1953|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He allowed 146 goals in 52 games. During his career he was on 3 Calder cup winning teams; 2 with the Pittsburgh Hornets and 1 with the Hershey Bears.
His lifetime GAA during regular season play was 2.89. His lifetime GAA in playoff action was 2.27.


During his final season with the Hornets, coach [[Howie Meeker]] began to become frustrated with his "indifferent play." Following two loses, Meeker fined Mayer $100 for his play and sent him home prior to a game against the [[Springfield Indians]]. In response, Mayer said, "I try awfully hard, but I'm not the only player on the team."<ref>{{cite news |title=Gil Mayer Fined $100 For 'Indifferent Play' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493323/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=November 23, 1955|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Despite this, Mayer was the 1956 recipient of the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for the fourth time in five seasons after averaging 2.70 goals per game.<ref>{{cite news |title=MAYER HOLMES WINNER |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68798481/gil-mayer-holmes-winner/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Intelligencer Journal |date=May 1, 1956|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
Early in the second period of Pittsburgh's game against the [[Syracuse Warriors]], on February 6, 1952, Mayer was cut by a puck which struck his face. His nose hemorrhaged but he returned to the ice after thirty minutes. The Warriors triumphed 4-2 in a contest in which Mayer made several stellar saves. The deciding goal, in front of a crowd of 1,534 at Memorial Auditorium in [[Syracuse, New York]], was quite lucky. [[Kelly Burnett]] made a baseball swing at a high-flying hard-hit puck and knocked it 18 feet, still in the air, past Mayer.


===Hershey Bears===
Mayer shut out the [[Springfield Indians]] on March 22, 1955, in the first round of the AHL playoffs. The Hornets benefited from goals by Bob Hassard and Jack Caffery.
Mayer was traded to the [[Hershey Bears]] on July 5, 1956. The Bears also obtained from Pittsburgh [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|defenceman]] Jack Price, [[centre (ice hockey)|centres]] [[Willie Marshall (ice hockey)|Willie Marshall]], [[Bob Hassard]], and [[forward (ice hockey)|forward]] Bobby Solinger.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hershey Bears Buy Six Players From Pittsburgh |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493496/gilles-mayer/ |publisher=The Daily News |date=July 5, 1956|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> After being dissatisfied with the terms of his contract, Mayer left Hershey's pre-season training camp and was placed under suspension.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mayer Dissatisfied, Quits Hershey Cam |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68492658/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Lebanon Daily News |date=October 2, 1956|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mayer Quits Hershey Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493079/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Lancaster New Era |date=October 2, 1956|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> As a result, his debut season was held off for a few days due to a contract dispute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hershey Bears At Full Strength With Gil Mayer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68492612/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Lebanon Daily News |date=October 9, 1956|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> During his first season with the Bears, Mayer suffered a knee injury and required weeks to recover. As part of his rehabilitation, Mayer traveled to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]], every day to get into a whirlpool bath at the [[UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg|Harrisburg hospital]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dots and Dashes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493026/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Lancaster New Era |date=February 9, 1957|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>


In 1958, the [[Detroit Red Wings]] asked the Bears to loan Mayer to the [[Edmonton Flyers]] as an emergency goaltender. After refusing to travel to Edmonton, Mayer was benched by coach [[Frank Mathers]] and fined $200 as a disciplinary measure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hershey Bears Plaster $200 Fine On Mayer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68798184/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Lebanon Daily News |date=November 13, 1958|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
He was traded to the [[Hershey Bears]] on July 5, 1956. The Bears also obtained from Pittsburgh [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|defenceman]] Jack Price, [[centre (ice hockey)]] [[Willie Marshall]], [[centre (ice hockey)]] [[Bob Hassard]], and [[forward (ice hockey)]] Bobby Solinger.


===Cleveland Barons and Providence Reds ===
As goalie of the [[Cleveland Barons (1937-73)|Cleveland Barons]] he sustained a broken jaw and missed three weeks of competition in 1959. He was hit by a [[slapshot]] during practice which required four [[sutures]]. His jaw was set at Lakewood Hospital in Cleveland. He was replaced by Don Rigazio, a goalie for the 1956 [[U.S. Olympic Team]].
As goalie of the [[Cleveland Barons (1937-73)|Cleveland Barons]] he sustained a broken jaw during practice and missed three weeks of competition in 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gil Mayer Suffers Broken Jaw |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493433/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Montreal Gazette |date=October 29, 1959|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Following this, Mayer became the first goalie in the AHL to wear a [[Goalie mask]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gil Mayer Wears Mask |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68494158/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |publisher=The Morning Herald |date=January 9, 1960|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The mask had been sent to him from [[Jacques Plante]], the first NHL goaltender to wear a mask.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Nykoluk, Dick Gamble, Gil Mayer and late Bun Cook inducted by AHL |url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/mike-nykoluk-dick-gamble-gil-mayer-and-late-bun-cook-inducted-by-ahl |website=si.com |publisher=Sports Illustrated |access-date=January 28, 2021 |date=January 29, 2007}}</ref>


During the 1962–63 season, Mayer was replaced by [[Eddie Giacomin]] as the starting goaltender and subsequently found a stable job with a rug company. As the Reds lost 12 of their 15 games the following season with Giacomin in net, they asked Mayer to step in as the starting goaltender but he refused. Mayer listed his age, a good job, and his long period of inactivity as the reasons for his refusal. As a result, he was suspended from the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gil Mayer Refuses To Play, Reds Suspend Him |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68493666/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 28, 2021 |publisher=Democrat and Chronicle |date=January 22, 1964|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1959 Mayer became the first goalie in the AHL to wear a [[Goalie mask]]. He was joined in 1960 by [[Gerry McNeil]] of the [[Quebec Aces]].


==Size==
Trainer Les Binkley replaced Mayer after he was hit behind the ear with a puck in a Barons' loss to the [[Buffalo Bisons]] on October 30, 1960. Binkley ceded all three Bisons' goals, playing all the way after the fifth minute.
Gil stood 5'6" and weighed between 128 and 135 pounds during his career. He was "nicknamed "The Needle". Mayer had a natural weight of 128 pounds but tipped the scales at 166 pounds wearing all of his equipment. The 38 pounds of steel, wood, leather and wool costs $300 and required 30 minutes for dressing and removal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Armored Mite |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68492334/gilles-mayer/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=November 13, 1949|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>


==Career statistics==
==NHL==
===Regular season and playoffs===
Mayer made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs against the [[Detroit Red Wings]] on December 1, 1949, after being called up from the Hornets. Toronto's regular goalie, [[Turk Broda]], was suspended for weighing 197 pounds. He had a weight limit of 190 pounds. Broda, 35, was the oldest active NHL goalie at the time.
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:90%; text-align:center;"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | [[Regular season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | [[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP !! W !! L !! T !! MIN !! GA !! [[Shutout#Ice hockey|SO]] !! [[Goals against average|GAA]] !! [[save percentage|SV%]]
! GP !! W !! L !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV%
|-
| 1944–45
| Hull Volants
| [[Ottawa City Hockey League|OCHL]]
| 7 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 420 || 15 || 1 || 2.14 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1945–46
| Hull Volants
| OCHL
| 5 || — || — || — || 300 || 35 || 0 || 7.00 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1947–48 OHA season|1947–48]]
| [[Barrie Flyers]]
| [[Ontario Hockey Association|OHA]]
| 19 || — || — || — || 1140 || 59 || 3 || 3.11 || —
| 10 || 8 || 2 || 600 || 36 || 0 || 3.60 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1948 Memorial Cup|1947–48]]
| Barrie Flyers
| [[Memorial Cup|M-Cup]]
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| 5 || 4 || 1 || 300 || 20 || 0 || 4.00 || —
|-
| [[1948–49 OHA season|1948–49]]
| Barrie Flyers
| OHA
| 46 || 26 || 16 || 4 || 2760 || 134 || 5 || 2.91 || —
| 8 || 8 || 0 || 480 || 21 || 1 || 2.63 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1949 Memorial Cup|1948–49]]
| Barrie Flyers
| M-Cup
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| 8 || 4 || 4 || 490 || 22 || 1 || 2.69 || —
|-
| [[1949–50 AHL season|1949–50]]
| [[Pittsburgh Hornets]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 50 || 20 || 19 || 11 || 3000 || 142 || 4 || 2.84 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1949–50 NHL season|1949–50]]
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 60 || 2 || 0 || 2.00 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1950–51 AHL season|1950–51]]
| Pittsburgh Hornets
| AHL
| 71 || 31 || 33 || 7 || 4350 || 174 || 6 || 2.40 || —
| 13 || 9 || 4 || 835 || 26 || 2 || 1.87 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1951–52 AHL season|1951–52]]
| Pittsburgh Hornets
| AHL
| 68 || 46 || 19 || 3 || 4120 || 175 || 5 || 2.57 || —
| 11 || 8 || 3 || 753 || 24 || 1 || 1.91 || —
|-
| [[1952–53 AHL season|1952–53]]
| Pittsburgh Hornets
| AHL
| 62 || 36 || 20 || 6 || 3760 || 146 || 6 || 2.33 || —
| 10 || 6 || 4 || 695 || 20 || 0 || 1.73 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1953–54 AHL season|1953–54]]
| Pittsburgh Hornets
| AHL
| 68 || 33 || 30 || 5 || 4080 || 212 || 3 || 3.12 || —
| 5 || 2 || 3 || 330 || 13 || 1 || 2.36 || —
|-
| [[1953–54 NHL season|1953–54]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 60 || 3 || 0 || 3.00 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1954–55 AHL season|1954–55]]
| Pittsburgh Hornets
| AHL
| 64 || 31 || 25 || 8 || 3840 || 179 || 3 || 2.80 || —
| 20 || 7 || 3 || 639 || 28 || 1 || 2.63 || —
|-
| [[1954–55 NHL season|1954–55]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 60 || 1 || 0 || 1.00 || .947
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1955–56 AHL season|1955–56]]
| Pittsburgh Hornets
| AHL
| 56 || 40 || 12 || 4 || 3360 || 151 || 5 || 2.70 || —
| 4 || 1 || 3 || 312 || 14 || 0 || 2.69 || —
|-
| [[1955–56 NHL season|1955–56]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 6 || 1 || 5 || 0 || 360 || 18 || 0 || 3.00 || .871
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1956–57 AHL season|1956–57]]
| [[Hershey Bears]]
| AHL
| 29 || 14 || 12 || 3 || 1740 || 103 || 1 || 3.55 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1957–58 AHL season|1957–58]]
| Hershey Bears
| AHL
| 22 || 12 || 7 || 3 || 1358 || 62 || 0 || 2.82 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1958–59 AHL season|1958–59]]
| Hershey Bears
| AHL
| 19 || — || — || — || 1140 || 61 || 0 || 3.21 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1959–60 AHL season|1959–60]]
| [[Cleveland Barons (1937–1973)|Cleveland Barons]]
| AHL
| 41 || 19 || 19 || 3 || 2460 || 126 || 3 || 3.07 || —
| 7 || 3 || 4 || 420 || 22 || 1 || 3.14 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1960–61 AHL season|1960–61]]
| Cleveland Barons
| AHL
| 66 || 32 || 34 || 0 || 3960 || 222 || 3 || 3.36 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1961–62 AHL season|1961–62]]
| [[Providence Reds]]
| AHL
| 30 || 16 || 13 || 1 || 1800 || 122 || 1 || 4.07 || —
| 3 || 1 || 2 || 185 || 11 || 0 || 3.57 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1962–63 AHL season|1962–63]]
| Providence Reds
| AHL
| 34 || 16 || 15 || 3 || 2040 || 99 || 1 || 2.91 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | AHL totals
! 680 !! 346 !! 258 !! 57 !! 41008 !! 1974 !! 40 !! 2.89 !! —
! 63 !! 37 !! 26 !! 6 !! 4169 !! 158 !! 2.27 !! —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | NHL totals
! 9 !! 2 !! 6 !! 1 !! 540 !! 24 !! 0 !! 2.67 !! —
! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! —
|}


==References==
Mayer had a natural weight of 128 pounds but tipped the scales at 166 pounds wearing all of his equipment. The 38 pounds of steel, wood, leather and wool costs $300 and required 30 minutes for dressing and removal.
{{Reflist}}


On October 21, 1954, Mayer was brought up from Pittsburgh to substitute for injured Toronto goalie [[Harry Lumley (ice hockey)|Harry Lumley]]. As a replacement Mayer was all that could be asked and he was given practically faultless support by his fast-skating mates. The Leafs surprised a Montreal crowd of 14,004 by defeating the [[Montreal Canadiens]], 3-1, in a game which [[Harry Watson (ice hockey b. 1923)|Harry Watson]] scored his 200th career goal.


During a Toronto losing streak Mayer conceded a late first-period goal to [[Ed Litzenberger]] of the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] on February 5, 1956. The shot from along the boards hit Mayer's pads and dribbled into the far corner of the net. It proved to be the winning tally in a 3-2 victory and the fourth loss in a row for the Maple Leafs.

Mayer's last season of professional hockey came during the 1962-63 season, playing in the American Hockey League for the Providence Reds.<ref>http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=11392</ref>

Mayer died at the age of 86 on September 29, 2015.<ref>http://www.pennlive.com/hersheybears/index.ssf/2015/09/in_blazing_color_giant_centers.html</ref>

===Career statistics===
NHL totals: [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]

(1949 ''-'' 1950) (G) 1 (GA) 2 (GAA) 2.00 (Svs) 0.00

(1953 ''-'' 1954) (G) 1 (GA) 0 (GAA) 0.00 (Svs) 0.00

(1954 ''-'' 1955) (G) 1 (GA) 0 (GAA) 0.00 (Svs) 0.00

(1955 ''-'' 1956) (G) 6 (GA)19 (GAA) 3.17 (Svs) 0.00

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Elyria Chronicle Telegram |title=Olson Of Barons Captures American Loop Scoring Title |date=March 24, 1953
|page=14}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Connellsville Daily Register |title=Hershey Bears Get Six Hornet Hockey Players In Big Deal |date=July 6, 1957 |page=7}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Lancaster Eagle Gazette |title=Sports Briefs |date=October 29, 1959 |page=26}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Lethbridge Herald]] |title=Little Big Guy |date=November 30, 1949 |page=20}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Lethbridge Herald]] |title=The Diet League
|date=December 2, 1949 |page=19}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Monessen Daily Independent |title=Gil Mayer Leads Hornets To 2-0 Hockey Triumph |date=March 23, 1955 |page=
4}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Indiana Evening Gazette |title=Indians End 3-Way Tie At Top Spot |date=October 31, 1960 |page=10}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Reno Evening Gazette |title=Two Masked Goalies |date=November 3, 1960 |page=9}}
*{{cite news| publisher=Syracuse Post-Standard |title=Victory First For Syracuse Over Top Team |date=February 7, 1952 |page=18}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Syracuse Post-Standard]] |title=Thrust Halted |date=March 13, 1952 |page=18}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] |title=Montreal Royals Gain [[Memorial Cup]] Birth |date=April 18, 1949 |page=16}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] |title=Terry Sawchcuk Top Goalie |date=October 21, 1949 |page=22}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] |title=Mathers AHL Star Once Again |date=April 28, 1954 |page=29}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] |title=Leafs Win First; Wings On Top |date=October 22, 1954 |page=30}}
*{{cite news| publisher=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] |title=Bruins, Hawks Spurt As Leafs Fade Fast |date=February 6, 1956 |page=19}}
==External links==
==External links==
*{{hockeydb|11392}}
* {{icehockeystats}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070503005027/http://www.ahlhalloffame.com/pagebank/index.html?id=38 AHL Hall of Fame Bio]
*{{legendsofhockey|18609|Gil Mayer}}
*[http://www.ahlhalloffame.com/pagebank/index.html?id=38 AHL Hall of Fame Bio]
*[http://habsgoalies.blogspot.com/2007/06/claude-cyr-1958-59.html Habs goalies bio]
*[http://habsgoalies.blogspot.com/2007/06/claude-cyr-1958-59.html Habs goalies bio]


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Mayer, Gilles
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Canadian ice hockey player
| DATE OF BIRTH = August 24, 1929
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario|ON]], [[Canada|CAN]]
| DATE OF DEATH = September 29, 2015
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayer, Gilles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayer, Gilles}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:American Hockey League Hall of Fame members]]
[[Category:Barrie Flyers players]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders]]
[[Category:Cleveland Barons (1937–73) players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Barons (1937–1973) players]]
[[Category:Hershey Bears players]]
[[Category:Hershey Bears players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Ottawa]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Ottawa]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Hornets players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Hornets players]]
[[Category:Providence Reds players]]
[[Category:Providence Reds players]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario]]

Revision as of 04:38, 27 April 2024

Gilles Mayer
Born (1930-08-24)August 24, 1930
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Died September 29, 2015(2015-09-29) (aged 86)
Rhode Island, US
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 1946–1963

Joseph Gilles Camille Mayer (August 24, 1930 – September 29, 2015) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 9 games in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1949 and 1956. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1946 to 1963, was mainly spent in the American Hockey League (AHL). Mayer stood 5'6" tall, and weighed 128 lbs, which earned him the nickname "The Needle." During his time with the Cleveland Barons, Mayer became the first AHL goaltender to wear a mask.

Early life and junior career

Mayer was born on August 24, 1930, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.[1] He began playing goaltender at the age of six due to liking the position.[2] Mayer then played amateur hockey with the Hull Volants of the Ottawa City Hockey League and Lake Placid Roamers, an independent, intermediate senior level ice hockey team.[3][4] During his time with the Roamers, he was noticed by Johnny Gagnon who helped place him with the Barrie Flyers.[5]

Mayer subsequently made the jump from amateur hockey with the Lake Placid Roamers to junior ice hockey in 1949. He was the goalie of the Barrie Flyers who lost the Eastern Canada championship final series 5-4 to the Montreal Royals. He was subsequently the recipient of the George Richardson Memorial Trophy and Red Tilson Trophy.[6] He began his professional hockey career in 1949 with the Pittsburgh Hornets after his playing rights were purchased from the Montreal Canadiens. Due to his short stature, he was given the nickname "Needle" by the team.[7]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Hornets and Toronto Maple Leafs

During his first year with the Hornets in the American Hockey League (AHL), Mayer led all goaltenders with an average of 2.50 goals in 22 games after replacing Baz Bastien.[8] As a result of his play, Mayer made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Detroit Red Wings on December 1, 1949. During his debut, the Ottawa Citizen reported that they received dozens of telephone calls for the score of the Detroit-Toronto game and to know whether or not Mayer was in the Leafs' nets in place of Turk Broda.[9]

During the 1950–51 season, Mayer nearly surpassed Nick Damore's league shutout record after recording three consecutive shutouts. During a game against the Providence Reds on December 16, 1950, Mayer required a shutout within the first period to beat the record.[10] However, Reds winger Chuck Scherza scored a goal after 12 minutes of play and the Hornets lost 3–2.[11] As a result of his play during the season, Mayer was named to the 1951 AHL All-Star Team.[12]

Early in the second period of Pittsburgh's game against the Syracuse Warriors, on February 6, 1952, Mayer was cut by a puck which struck his face. His nose haemorrhaged but he returned to the ice after thirty minutes.[13] He finished the season second to Johnny Bower in goals against average with 2.57 goals within 68 games and topped the league in shutouts.[14] The following year, he won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award and a $300 bonus with a 3.25 goals against average.[15] He allowed 146 goals in 52 games. During his career he was on 3 Calder cup winning teams; 2 with the Pittsburgh Hornets and 1 with the Hershey Bears.

During his final season with the Hornets, coach Howie Meeker began to become frustrated with his "indifferent play." Following two loses, Meeker fined Mayer $100 for his play and sent him home prior to a game against the Springfield Indians. In response, Mayer said, "I try awfully hard, but I'm not the only player on the team."[16] Despite this, Mayer was the 1956 recipient of the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for the fourth time in five seasons after averaging 2.70 goals per game.[17]

Hershey Bears

Mayer was traded to the Hershey Bears on July 5, 1956. The Bears also obtained from Pittsburgh defenceman Jack Price, centres Willie Marshall, Bob Hassard, and forward Bobby Solinger.[18] After being dissatisfied with the terms of his contract, Mayer left Hershey's pre-season training camp and was placed under suspension.[19][20] As a result, his debut season was held off for a few days due to a contract dispute.[21] During his first season with the Bears, Mayer suffered a knee injury and required weeks to recover. As part of his rehabilitation, Mayer traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, every day to get into a whirlpool bath at the Harrisburg hospital.[22]

In 1958, the Detroit Red Wings asked the Bears to loan Mayer to the Edmonton Flyers as an emergency goaltender. After refusing to travel to Edmonton, Mayer was benched by coach Frank Mathers and fined $200 as a disciplinary measure.[23]

Cleveland Barons and Providence Reds

As goalie of the Cleveland Barons he sustained a broken jaw during practice and missed three weeks of competition in 1959.[24] Following this, Mayer became the first goalie in the AHL to wear a Goalie mask.[25] The mask had been sent to him from Jacques Plante, the first NHL goaltender to wear a mask.[26]

During the 1962–63 season, Mayer was replaced by Eddie Giacomin as the starting goaltender and subsequently found a stable job with a rug company. As the Reds lost 12 of their 15 games the following season with Giacomin in net, they asked Mayer to step in as the starting goaltender but he refused. Mayer listed his age, a good job, and his long period of inactivity as the reasons for his refusal. As a result, he was suspended from the team.[27]

Size

Gil stood 5'6" and weighed between 128 and 135 pounds during his career. He was "nicknamed "The Needle". Mayer had a natural weight of 128 pounds but tipped the scales at 166 pounds wearing all of his equipment. The 38 pounds of steel, wood, leather and wool costs $300 and required 30 minutes for dressing and removal.[28]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1944–45 Hull Volants OCHL 7 6 1 0 420 15 1 2.14 — — — — — — — — —
1945–46 Hull Volants OCHL 5 — — — 300 35 0 7.00 — — — — — — — — —
1947–48 Barrie Flyers OHA 19 — — — 1140 59 3 3.11 — 10 8 2 600 36 0 3.60 —
1947–48 Barrie Flyers M-Cup — — — — — — — — — 5 4 1 300 20 0 4.00 —
1948–49 Barrie Flyers OHA 46 26 16 4 2760 134 5 2.91 — 8 8 0 480 21 1 2.63 —
1948–49 Barrie Flyers M-Cup — — — — — — — — — 8 4 4 490 22 1 2.69 —
1949–50 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 50 20 19 11 3000 142 4 2.84 — — — — — — — — —
1949–50 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 1 0 1 0 60 2 0 2.00 — — — — — — — — —
1950–51 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 71 31 33 7 4350 174 6 2.40 — 13 9 4 835 26 2 1.87 —
1951–52 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 68 46 19 3 4120 175 5 2.57 — 11 8 3 753 24 1 1.91 —
1952–53 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 62 36 20 6 3760 146 6 2.33 — 10 6 4 695 20 0 1.73 —
1953–54 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 68 33 30 5 4080 212 3 3.12 — 5 2 3 330 13 1 2.36 —
1953–54 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 1 0 0 1 60 3 0 3.00 — — — — — — — — —
1954–55 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 64 31 25 8 3840 179 3 2.80 — 20 7 3 639 28 1 2.63 —
1954–55 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 .947 — — — — — — — —
1955–56 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 56 40 12 4 3360 151 5 2.70 — 4 1 3 312 14 0 2.69 —
1955–56 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 6 1 5 0 360 18 0 3.00 .871 — — — — — — — —
1956–57 Hershey Bears AHL 29 14 12 3 1740 103 1 3.55 — — — — — — — — —
1957–58 Hershey Bears AHL 22 12 7 3 1358 62 0 2.82 — — — — — — — — —
1958–59 Hershey Bears AHL 19 — — — 1140 61 0 3.21 — — — — — — — — —
1959–60 Cleveland Barons AHL 41 19 19 3 2460 126 3 3.07 — 7 3 4 420 22 1 3.14 —
1960–61 Cleveland Barons AHL 66 32 34 0 3960 222 3 3.36 — — — — — — — — —
1961–62 Providence Reds AHL 30 16 13 1 1800 122 1 4.07 — 3 1 2 185 11 0 3.57 —
1962–63 Providence Reds AHL 34 16 15 3 2040 99 1 2.91 — — — — — — — — —
AHL totals 680 346 258 57 41008 1974 40 2.89 — 63 37 26 6 4169 158 2.27 —
NHL totals 9 2 6 1 540 24 0 2.67 — — — — — — — — —

References

  1. ^ "Gil Mayer". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Livingston, Pat (December 21, 1949). "Gil Mayer, Hornets Rookie Goalie, Makes Pros Sit Up, Take Notice". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Halpin, Charlie (February 14, 1947). "Lake Placid Budding Puck Centre Under New York Ranger Guidance". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Myre Coaching Ottawa-Packed Lake Placid Team". The Ottawa Journal. December 13, 1946. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Campbell, Don (November 21, 2006). "AHL HALL OF FAMER'S NEMNDING RECORDS LIKELY TO ENDURE". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Goalie Honored". The Ottawa Citizen. March 30, 1949. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Gatineau's Gil Mayer League's Best". Ottawa Journal. February 6, 1953. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "128-pound Goalie Stars for Hornets". Burlington Daily News. December 8, 1949. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "The phones were ringing". Ottawa Citizen. December 2, 1949. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Gil Mayer Can Shatter Shutout Lead Tonight". Ottawa Citizen. December 16, 1950. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Hornets' Gil Mayer's Attempt For Hockey Record falls Short". The Daily American. December 18, 1950. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Gil Mayer Selected AHL AIl-Sfar". Ottawa Journal. April 30, 1951. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Wasps' Lead Reduced To Nine Points". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 7, 1952. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Powell, Bower Win AHL Honors". The Pittsburgh Press. March 18, 1952. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "Goalie Award". The Leader-Post. March 25, 1953. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Gil Mayer Fined $100 For 'Indifferent Play'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 23, 1955. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "MAYER HOLMES WINNER". Intelligencer Journal. May 1, 1956. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Hershey Bears Buy Six Players From Pittsburgh". The Daily News. July 5, 1956 – via newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Mayer Dissatisfied, Quits Hershey Cam". Lebanon Daily News. October 2, 1956. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Mayer Quits Hershey Post". Lancaster New Era. October 2, 1956. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Hershey Bears At Full Strength With Gil Mayer". Lebanon Daily News. October 9, 1956. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Dots and Dashes". Lancaster New Era. February 9, 1957. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Hershey Bears Plaster $200 Fine On Mayer". Lebanon Daily News. November 13, 1958. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Gil Mayer Suffers Broken Jaw". Montreal Gazette. October 29, 1959. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Gil Mayer Wears Mask". The Morning Herald. January 9, 1960. Retrieved January 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Mike Nykoluk, Dick Gamble, Gil Mayer and late Bun Cook inducted by AHL". si.com. Sports Illustrated. January 29, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  27. ^ "Gil Mayer Refuses To Play, Reds Suspend Him". Democrat and Chronicle. January 22, 1964. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Armored Mite". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 13, 1949. Retrieved January 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.


External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gilles_Mayer&oldid=1220989564"